March/April 1995
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March/April 1995 |
"When a community sets an achievable plan of action and keeps its focus, it will accomplish its goals."
This is how Ed Houghton, chair of the Public Advisory Committee, responds to the question, "How did Collingwood Harbour become the first of the 43 Areas of Concern to be cleaned up?"
Collingwood Harbour was declared clean by the Governments of Canada and Ontario on December 1, 1994 after the International Joint Commission concluded that it no longer had the attributes of an Area of Concern.
Many actions were taken to remedy the environmental problems in Collingwood Harbour. A reduction in the amount of phosphorus entering the harbour was essential. This was accomplished through computer technology, a project to optimize the removal of phosphorus at the sewage treatment plant, rehabilitation of Black Ash Creek and a communitywide education program.
Black Ash Creek restoration utilized bioengineering techniques to stop stream bank erosion and enhance fish habitat. Flow levels were strong enough to lift rocks from the stream bottom onto the face of the wall.
A bioengineered cribwall is a structure built from interlocking logs and vegetation that stabilize and protect the slope from erosion while enhancing fish habitat. Live cuttings are placed in between the logs and soil base. As the logs weaken and break down, the live cuttings become more established, protecting the slope with a thick layer of vegetation.
Bioengineering combines elements of engineering and biology. These structures provide more than just land stability; they also provide habitat for many species and establish firm connections between the earth and aquatic ecosystems.
ENVIROPARK, an environmental playground, is the most exciting nontechnical project of the Collingwood Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The playground instills an understanding in children of how their everyday life has a direct effect on our environment. The play structures represent residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural water use within the town. Delightful, educational signs show 'Terri the Trout' explaining how to prevent pollution.
Collingwood Harbour was the first in North America to test new sediment removal technology. The Pneuma Pump successfully removed contaminated sediment from the shipyard slips and piped it into a secure disposal cell (see Focus, November/December 1993, pages 18-19). Now all sediment in the harbour is safe.
Interesting and innovative ideas were used to improve habitat in the harbour. Recycled Christmas trees were weighted and set in position along the harbour floor to provide habitat and to act as cover and feeding sites for walleye and smallmouth bass. A boulder placement project provides protection for male bass who guard the eggs from predators. Nesting boxes for the bass are located beside the boulders.
Wetland exclosure pods in the harbour protect freshly planted wetland plants from disturbance and predators. The pods provide refuge for young-of-the-year smallmouth bass and other aquatic life. These pods will be relocated once the plants are established.
A demonstration wetland has also been created in the harbour. The site is planted with native plants and has a basking log to provide habitat for amphibians and reptiles. The sides of the wetland are protected with a biodegradable mat. This mat has a thick mesh weave that allows vegetation to grow through it.
A critical ingredient of all programs undertaken by the RAP was the involvement of the community. We maintained a constant public outreach program through the media, community events, schools, service clubs, business groups and industry to encourage involvement in the process.
The residents of Collingwood responded positively. A cooperative link between the agencies and the community was established under the direction of our RAP Coordinator, Dr. Gail Krantzberg. Gail provided excellent leadership while allowing the community to direct the process.
Life after the Cleanup
The positive side of being identified as an Area of Concern is that it forced us to look at the whole environmental picture. The community has expanded beyond just water-related issues within the harbour boundaries. A comprehensive, community-driven action program called the 'Greening' of Collingwood focuses on preventing contamination instead of fixing past mistakes. Components of this program include green home tune-ups, green business tune-ups, xeroscaped gardening (low water landscaping), alternative transportation and working with teachers and administrators to ensure environmental education is entrenched in school curriculum.
Does delisting mean defunding? As a former RAP area, Collingwood will not receive the same level of government financial support. It is, however, critical that the solid foundation of environmental improvement begun through the RAP process continue.
The Environment Network of Collingwood, opened in 1993, is a storefront facility integrating RAP projects and new environmental programs. The long-term goal is to have the network be self sustaining. This will take time, but staff at the network are continually looking for ways to generate revenue.
The work will continue. We are committed and have seen remarkable results from our work. Partnerships were formed, strengthened and continue to grow. The more diversified and interconnected the partnerships, the more resilient the organization.
For more information contact Tillie MacDonald, Community Liaison, Collingwood Harbour Remedial Action Plan, 275 First Street, Unit 6, Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 1C1. Telephone (705)446-0551; fax (705)446-0561.
Sommaire
«Quand la collectivité se dote d'un plan d'action réalisable et qu'elle s'en tient à ce plan, elle atteint ses buts.» Voilà la réponse d'Ed Houghton, président du Comité consultatif public, à la question «Comment le port de Collingwood est-il devenu le premier secteur préoccupant à parvenir à se dépolluer?».
On a pris beaucoup de mesures pour corriger les problèmes d'environnement dont souffrait le port de Collingwood. Il était entre autres indispensable de réduire les apports de phosphore dans le port. Un facteur déterminant de la réussite de tous les programmes entrepris en vertu du Plan de mesures correctrices a été la participation de la collectivité.
Il a été bon pour la collectivité d'être désignée secteur préoccupant : il lui a fallu prendre tout l'environnement en considération, sans se limiter à l'eau du port. Un nouveau programme exhaustif d'action communautaire, le virage écologique de Collingwood, s'attache à prévenir la contamination plutôt qu'à réparer les erreurs du passé. Il comprend entre autres le «virage au vert» des maisons et des entreprises, l'économie d'eau en horticulture ou en aménagement paysager, les nouvelles formules de transport et, avec la collaboration des enseignants et des administrateurs, l'intégration de l'éducation écologique dans les programmes scolaires.
Revised: April 8, 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle,
mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net